As the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema gets ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary this fall, Brooklyn College announced that Professor Paula J. Massood, former head of our cinema studies program, was named dean of the School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts (SVMPA). With a permanent dean now in place at SVMPA, the college is pleased to announce a transition in the administrative structure of the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema. The school’s chair, Charles Haine, a longtime faculty member with extensive experience leading the program, will assume the responsibilities of the executive director under the guidance of the dean after the departure of Richard N. Gladstein earlier this month. This change to consolidate leadership responsibilities at Feirstein will streamline operations and strengthen alignment between our academics and administration. “Charles Haine brings a rare combination of industry expertise, academic experience, and creative vision that makes him an ideal choice to lead Feirstein,” said Provost April Bedford. “His deep understanding of both traditional filmmaking and emerging technologies ensures that students are prepared for the evolving landscape of cinema, while his commitment to mentorship and innovation aligns perfectly with the mission of Brooklyn College.” “I am honored to step into this new role at Feirstein,” Haine said. “Our students are incredibly talented and passionate, and working alongside them has been deeply rewarding. I look forward to building on that experience and helping create an environment where their creativity and vision can truly thrive.” Assistant Professor Haine is a veteran filmmaker and entrepreneur who has been working in the motion picture industry since 1999. In 2008, he founded the Academy Award–nominated production company Dirty Robber, which he led until joining the faculty at Brooklyn College in 2015. Throughout his career, Haine has directed a diverse range of projects, including feature films, music videos, and high-end fashion advertisements. At Feirstein, Haine spearheaded a strategic partnership with industry leader Blackmagic Design. This long-standing collaboration has brought cutting-edge technology into the classroom, giving students hands-on experience with tools used throughout the production pipeline—from on-set capture to final finishing. The initiative emphasizes training in large-format cinematography, HDR workflows, and immersive video production, helping students prepare for the evolving demands of the industry. Haine is also developing a collaboration between Feirstein and the Museum of the Moving Image. This partnership will create internship opportunities, integrate cinema technology history into the curriculum and expand training programs in documentary filmmaking. As a director, Haine helmed the narrative feature Angel’s Perch and recently completed production on the documentary Multiple Choice, which explores an innovative high school education model in Winchester, Virginia. The film, produced in collaboration with executive producer Ted Dintersmith (Most Likely to Succeed), is set to premiere at a major film festival this fall, with a nationwide screening series to follow.
